11/02/2025
Neighboring counties, but still be aware
UPDATE (11-06-2025) from the Craven County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17kzNNZX42/?mibextid=wwXIfr
UPDATE: Interview from Sheriff Chip Hughes today (11-03-2025): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18P9CaBRY3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
What people should know about what we are doing in this search and searches in general:
There has been a lot of talk regarding the ongoing search for Dominic Connelly, with questions about what has been done and what we are currently doing to locate him.
Please read the following, as I hope it gives some insight into the scale of our operation and the challenges we face:
As someone who was with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and who now works for Sheriff Chip Hughes at the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, as well as being the coordinator for Craven County Crime Stoppers, I want to personally address the public's concern and the question we are seeing: "Why hasn’t Dominic Connelly been caught yet?"
I want to assure the public that Sheriff Hughes’ Office and all law enforcement are pulling every resource possible to locate and apprehend him. This is a massive, multi-agency operation being led by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, which is receiving assistance from the NCSBI, the NCSHP, NC Wildlife, the US Marshals Service, and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
We have been throwing every resource possible into this search from the beginning. This is not a passive search; it is an active and aggressive hunt.
Our efforts include:
Aerial Technology: We are using drones and helicopters equipped with FLIR thermal sensors and motion detection to search areas inaccessible on foot, day and night.
K-9 Units: Specialized K-9 teams from all over the state have been brought in to track the suspect.
Ground Saturation: We have extensive "boots on the ground," with officers searching every possible area and any location Connelly could be hiding.
Our work is 24/7. We are chasing every single tip that comes in. We are still answering every call. Deputies are pulling extra shifts, and we are conducting saturation patrols throughout the area. We are doing all we can.
It is important for the public to understand the challenges we face. First, we are dealing with a fugitive who has the will to survive and hide, especially when he knows his freedom is at stake. Second, the environment itself is an obstacle. The woods are filled with thick brush, which provides significant cover and makes searching, even with advanced technology, extremely difficult.
To those who are frustrated, please understand that a manhunt in this type of terrain is a methodical, painstaking process. It is a real-world operation where a determined individual is actively using the terrain to his advantage.
Sheriff Hughes’ resolve is absolute. Our unified command is determined. We will not stop, we will not scale back, and we will continue to apply pressure from every angle.
Interview from Sheriff Chip Hughes today (11-03-2025): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18P9CaBRY3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
-Kelly Cox
